ITALIAN CHEESECAKE

For those of you who love a good Italian style cheesecake, this recipe of mine is a must have!

ROSE VICTORIA'S ITALIAN CHEESECAKE:

3 lbs. Ricotta cheese, drain any water
1 1/2 cups sugar
6 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. fresh orange juice
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup zwieback crumbs
1/2 cup citron
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 tsp. fresh orange peel
1 tsp. fresh lemon peel

Butter a 9 or 10-inch spring form pan and coat with zwieback crumbs. Beat ricotta, sugar, eggs, vanilla, orange juice, and heavy cream thoroughly. Fold in citron, chocolate chips, orange and lemon peel. Pour in pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour. The cake will expel some liquid that will be absorbed. Cool on counter and then Chill in refrigerator before slicing and serving.